Tag: DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr

Radio, Statements, TV

Ping Nabahala sa Pagkumpirma ng PNP Chief sa ‘Data-Gathering’

Nakakabahala.

Ito ang naging paglalarawan ni Senador Panfilo Lacson sa pag-amin ni Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Eleazar sa nagaganap na data-gathering activities sa ilang mga barangay sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng bansa.

Bagama’t una na ito pinabulaanan ng PNP, tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang nabanggit na aktibidad, batay sa huling impormasyong nakakarating kay Lacson na namuno sa ahensiya mula 1999 hanggang 2001.

“The Chief PNP’s admission that such data-gathering activities are going on (and still going on, as per latest information received) is alarming. Being their former chief, I cannot allow the PNP to engage in partisan politics and be ‘bastardized’, worse – using public funds,” banggit ni Lacson sa kanyang Twitter account.

Read in ENGLISH: Lacson Alarmed over PNP Chief’s Admission of ‘Data-Gathering’ Activities
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Radio, Statements, TV

Lacson Alarmed over PNP Chief’s Admission of ‘Data-Gathering’ Activities

Alarming.

This was how Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson described on Tuesday the admission by Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Eleazar that there are “data-gathering” activities in several barangays nationwide.

Citing the latest information reaching him, Lacson – who headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001 – also said such activities are still ongoing, amid the PNP’s initial denial.

“The Chief PNP’s admission that such data-gathering activities are going on (and still going on, as per latest information received) is alarming. Being their former chief, I cannot allow the PNP to engage in partisan politics and be ‘bastardized’, worse – using public funds,” Lacson said on his Twitter account.

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Statements

Ping: Anong Klaseng Kaibigan ang China?
Image: CTTO

Ito ang nagtatakang tanong ni Senador Panfilo Lacson bunga ng patuloy na pangangamkam sa sakop ng teritoryo ng Pilipinas, pang-aagrabyado at pagkibit-balikat ng China sa mga protestang inihahain ng Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) dahil sa mga ginagawa nito sa West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Bunga ng mga naturang pangyayari, iminungkahi ni Lacson, chairman ng Senate Committee on National Defense, na muling pasadahan ang mga nilalaman ng diplomatic ties ng dalawang bansa.

Sa kanyang Twitter post, nanawagan din ang mambabatas sa mga kasamahang senador na suportahan si DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. sa pagpalag nito sa isa sa pinakahuling ginawa ng China sa mga Pinoy na nasa WPS.

“Maybe a review of the country’s diplomatic relations is timely and called for. All the diplomatic protests that the Secretary of Foreign Affairs filed have been ignored as if nothing was filed at all. The continued incursions and bullying finally got his goat. The Senate must support him in this regard,” banggit ni Lacson.

Related: Lacson Pushes Review of PH-China Diplomatic Ties
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Statements

Lacson Pushes Review of PH-China Diplomatic Ties
Image: CTTO

What kind of friend – or benefactor – would take what is ours, bully us, and ignore our protests?

On this note, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson is seeking a review of the diplomatic ties between the Philippines and China, in the wake of China’s recent incursions and bullying in the West Philippine Sea.

Lacson also said the Senate should throw its support behind Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., who in a tweet had told China to “get… out” after filing numerous diplomatic protests over China’s conduct.

“Maybe a review of the country’s diplomatic relations is timely and called for. All the diplomatic protests that the Secretary of Foreign Affairs filed have been ignored as if nothing was filed at all. The continued incursions and bullying finally got his goat. The Senate must support him in this regard,” Lacson, who heads the Senate’s national defense committee, said on his Twitter account late Monday.

Related: Ping: Anong Klaseng Kaibigan ang China?
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Statements, TV

Ping, May Payo sa Commander-in-Chief sa Sigalot sa WPS
Chinese vessels at Julian Felipe Reef. Image Courtesy: AP

Hindi nararapat para sa Commander-in-Chief na maglabas ng mensaheng magbubunsod ng interpretasyon na tila sumusuko na ang pamahalaan sa pakikipaglaban sa Tsina para maangkin ang bahagi ng West Philippine Sea.

Ito ang naging tugon ni Senador Panfilo Lacson, Chairman ng Senate Committee on National Defense, makaraang ihayag ng Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na maaring mauwi sa madugong sagupaan ang situwasyon kapag pinilit ng Pilipinas na igiit ang pang-angkin nito sa mga lugar.

“He’s the leader of our country and he’s the commander-in-chief of our armed forces. He can think of anything and speak about anything except surrender. Remember, we have an arbitral ruling in our favor and it’s permanent although it’s unenforceable. There are so many things to think about except surrender. We cannot wave the white flag, so to speak,” banggit ni Lacson sa panayam ng CNN Philippines.

Ayon kay Lacson, posibleng malagay sa alanganin ang kasarinlan ng Pilipinas kapag hindi ito nasolusyunan.

“I am not saying the President is actually raising the white flag but that’s the implication. If the officers and men of the AFP would take it that way, it could be disastrous to Philippine sovereignty,” dagdag ni Lacson.

Related: Lacson: Commander-in-Chief Cannot ‘Surrender’ on WPS Issue
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Statements, TV

Lacson: Commander-in-Chief Cannot ‘Surrender’ on WPS Issue
Chinese vessels at Julian Felipe Reef. Image Courtesy: AP

The Philippines’ Commander-in-Chief cannot afford to send the wrong message – especially implied surrender or resignation – on our territorial disputes with China in the West Philippine Sea, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Tuesday.

Lacson said this after President Rodrigo Duterte said Monday night that the Philippines may risk bloodshed and a no-win situation if it asserts its jurisdiction.

“He’s the leader of our country and he’s the commander-in-chief of our armed forces. He can think of anything and speak about anything except surrender. Remember, we have an arbitral ruling in our favor and it’s permanent although it’s unenforceable. There are so many things to think about except surrender. We cannot wave the white flag, so to speak,” Lacson said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

“I am not saying the President is actually raising the white flag but that’s the implication. If the officers and men of the AFP would take it that way, it could be disastrous to Philippine sovereignty,” he added.

Related: Ping, May Payo sa Commander-in-Chief sa Sigalot sa WPS
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Statements

Ping: Mas Tumibay na US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty, Pambalanse sa Situwasyon sa South China Sea

Mas magkakaroon ng balance of power sa South China Sea ngayong higit na pinahalagahan ng bagong administrasyon ng Estados Unidos ang US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty.

Ito ang nakikita ni Senador Panfilo Lacson, chairman ng Senate Committee on National Defense, bunga na rin ng komunikasyon sa pagitan ni Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. at US State Secretary Antony Blinken.

“There you go. The US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty is one yet untapped weapon in our arsenal. I certainly hope we do not draw that weapon. Meantime, we might as well keep it there,” banggit ni Lacson sa pamamagitan ng kanyang Twitter account matapos ang pagpupulong nina Locsin at Blinken.

Related: Lacson: ‘Reaffirmed’ US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty to Maintain Balance of Power in South China Sea
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Statements

Lacson: ‘Reaffirmed’ US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty to Maintain Balance of Power in South China Sea

With the importance placed on it by the Biden administration, the US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty will help maintain the balance of power in the Asia-Pacific – including in the South China Sea, Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson said Thursday.

Lacson, who heads the Senate’s Committee on National Defense and Security, said this after State Secretary Antony Blinken spoke with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr.

“There you go. The US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty is one yet untapped weapon in our arsenal. I certainly hope we do not draw that weapon. Meantime, we might as well keep it there,” he said on his Twitter account.

Related: Ping: Mas Tumibay na US-PH Mutual Defense Treaty, Pambalanse sa Situwasyon sa South China Sea
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Radio, Statements

Lacson’s Christmas Wish: Early Procurement of COVID Vaccines, No More Incompetence

The early procurement of COVID vaccines amid renewed government efforts to procure them from the United States is Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson’s wish for this Christmas.

Lacson also said there should be no room for incompetence and ineptitude, especially on the part of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, after the events earlier this week.

“My Christmas wish is simple. I hope we Filipinos survive this pandemic, and we get the needed vaccines soonest,” Lacson said in an interview on DWIZ radio.

But he added the Cabinet, including vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., should help Duque not by defending him in media but by getting his job done.

Continue reading “Lacson’s Christmas Wish: Early Procurement of COVID Vaccines, No More Incompetence” →

In the News, Radio, Statements

#PINGterview: ‘Lost Opportunity’ sa COVID Vaccine

In an interview on DZXL, Sen. Lacson detailed how DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III cost the government an opportunity to acquire 10 million doses of COVID vaccines from Pfizer by January 2021.

MORE DETAILS:
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Photos, Sponsorship Speeches, Videos

Sponsorship Speech for 13 DFA Officers at the Commission on Appointments

Mr. Chairman, distinguished members of the Commission on Appointments, our common idol, Mr. Senate President – the fightingest secretary of the DFA, this Representation as Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, presided over a public hearing this morning to deliberate on the nominations of six (6) Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The Committee likewise deliberated on the ad interim appointments of one (1) Senior Officer to the rank of Chief of Mission, Class I, and six (6) Senior Officials promoted to the rank of Foreign Service Officer, Class II.

Your Committee, after deliberating on their qualifications and fitness during the said public hearing, determined that all of the six (6) nominees and seven (7) appointees are fit and qualified to the post and position to which they are respectively promoted or nominated, and ruled to recommend to the plenary their respective nominations and appointments for the consent and confirmation of this august body.

Mr. Chairman, it is therefore my honor and privilege to recommend that the Commission give its consent to the nomination of the following Department of Foreign Affairs’ Senior Officers, namely:

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Statements

On DFA Sec. Locsin’s Plan to Recommend Terminating PH Govt Contracts with Chinese Firms in SCS Reclamation Activities
Screengrab: CNN Philippines Facebook page

Kudos to DFA Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin for putting the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman in his place. Banning us from sending our military aircraft into airspace near Panatag Shoal surely deserves a strong rebuke. I’m proud that our top foreign policy implementor did it.

Indeed, it’s long in coming by way of a statement from our DFA secretary. China’s display of arrogance by accusing us of infringing on its sovereignty and security by sending military aircraft into airspace adjacent to Panatag Shoal/Bajo de Masinloc, urging the Philippines to immediately stop illegal provocations, tops it all.

*****

In the News, Photos, Statements, Videos

Kapihan sa Senado forum | Nov. 15, 2018

At the Kapihan sa Senado forum, Sen. Lacson answered questions on:
– return of the Balangiga Bells from the US to PH
– portrayal of PNP leadership in ‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’
– suspension of excise tax on fuel products in 2019
– President Duterte’s supposed ‘power nap’ at the ASEAN Summit
– possible arrest of former First Lady Imelda Marcos
– bringing down VAT and cutting the number of exemptions
– possible Senate inquiry into recent killing of local executives
– rogue cops abusing their authority amid a pay raise starting January 2019
– prospective third telco
– DICT leadership change
– legislation transferring training of police recruits from PPSC to PNP
– ‘rampant corruption’ at Customs
– possible extension of martial law in Mindanao

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